A heartfelt show that’ll make you miss your mum, Jewish or otherwise

Upon entering, Rachel Creeger hands out question cards. This is your chance to ask absolutely anything. Once filled in, drop it in the big chicken soup pot at the front of the stage and await the wisdom of the Ultimate Jewish Mother. That is, after we’ve been through the rules:

1. Coats off our you won’t feel the benefit later.

2. Phones on silent, but do answer if your mother calls.

3. Have you eaten? If not, Creeger has an emergency apple on hand.

In case you hadn’t noticed, this is a very Jewish show. “I even put Jewish in the title,” the London writer, director and comedian points out, “to avoid any confusion.” But that doesn’t mean she won’t cater for the non-Jews too, of which there are plenty. To catch them up, she amusingly condenses 4,000 years’ worth of history to the length and tune of Madonna’s ‘Like a Virgin’.

With everyone up to speed, Creeger continues with the crux of the show: that “Jewish mothers can answer any and all questions.” From the sincere: “My father is Jewish, my mother is not. Do I count?” Of course, replies Creeger, after a quip about the Jewish Chronicle claiming anyone even slightly Jew-ish. To the absurd: “What’s better, parsnips or turnips?” (Parsnips for eating and turnips for soup, if you’re wondering.)

While the Q&A session is enlightening and humorous, it feels a touch protracted. Luckily, Creeger wraps it up before too long and we’re back to the comical musical numbers, learning the best way to make chicken soup. And if you doubted our comic’s foodie credentials, she has evidence. Not only pictures of her hugging a brisket, which she and the photo crew promptly devoured, but also of her feeding various other comedians with homemade goods.

Overall it’s a heartfelt show, with laughs scattered throughout, and it’ll leave you with a warm fuzzy feeling, like a hug from none other than the ultimate Jewish mother.

By Danielle Goldstein

Photo © Ruth Bloch Photography

Rachel Creeger: Ultimate Jewish Mother runs until Sunday 27 August. 1.30pm. FREE. Edinburgh Festival Fringe, PBH's Free Fringe @ Whistlebinkies, EH1 1LL. rachelcreeger.com